McKeesport (Penn.) defensive tackle Delvon Simmons was in Lubbock over the weekend for an official visit with Texas Tech, and according to his head coach Jim Ward, he found plenty to like in West Texas.

"He left here Thursday morning, and got back home Saturday. I know he spent a good bit of time with Coach Tommy Tuberville and Coach Robert Prunty," Ward said. "He had a chance to meet with the academic advisor, which he was really impressed with."

"He thoroughly enjoyed his visit. There were so many things that he pointed out that he liked. The facilities, as a whole, really got his attention. He was impressed by the weight room and I think that kind of stood out to him. He also enjoyed the town and the people he got to be around. He really liked the living facilities and where he'd be staying. Really, everything he saw, he liked. He said the campus was beautiful as well. There were certainly several things that he pointed out to me that he liked about Texas Tech. He thought he would like it, but I think he enjoyed it even more than he expected to."

Simmons was hosted on his visit by fellow defensive lineman Donald Langley, and his trip also included a meeting with the chancellor of Texas Tech, Kent Hance.

"He also got an opportunity to meet the chancellor. That meeting went great and he really thought the world of the chancellor and getting to visit with him too."

Discussions with Simmons have also highlighted an opportunity to contribute early if he ends up on the South Plains.

"When they originally offered him in my office, Coach Prunty and Coach James Willis talked to him a lot about the lack of depth and the overall opportunity that would be there for him if he ends up at Texas Tech. That's something that is important to him, but that's not the only thing he's thinking about. He's a big picture kind of guy and he wants to be a part of a great team, whether he's in early or not. He could go a lot of places and play early, but he also wants to win."

The 6-foot-5, 265-pounder doesn't have any official visits scheduled further, and after cancelling a previous trip to Florida after their coaching change, the Gators are trying to work their way back into the conversation.

"That's something we'll have to discuss in detail on Monday. Florida is trying to get back in the picture and get him to visit," Ward said. "So, if he did that he'd obviously be unable to announce in San Antonio. They were a school he was wanting to look at, though. We're going to meet and discuss that further this week to find out if he wants to take another visit, or if he's done."

Either way, Texas Tech made their pitch this weekend, and according to Coach Ward it made an impression on Simmons.

"Texas Tech helped themselves tremendously. I know how comfortable he is with Coach Prunty, which I've mentioned before, but he's also gotten close with Coach Tuberville and the rest of the coaching staff in general," he said. "Texas Tech has really solidified themselves as a player in this thing and certainly a place that he could see himself going to school at. So, we'll sit down this week and talk a little further to decide what course of action he'll take."